USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Maritime Workforce

Left Nav - Education
Maritime Workforce
256
Subscribe to Maritime Workforce

Training

Every Mariner Builds A Respectful Culture (EMBARC) Training

Training is essential to improving shipboard culture and eliminating instances of SASH at sea.

Training Requirements

There are three main training requirements for crew members onboard vessels complying with the EMBARC Standards.

  1. Annually

All officers and crew shall be required to complete the SOCP Maritime Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Prevention Training before a cadet is embarked and to repeat the training annually. Anyone can download this training for free here: SOCP SASH Computer Based Training.

  1. Quarterly

Safety Management Systems shall establish quarterly training requirements for all shipboard personnel (regardless of whether cadets are onboard) on:

  • SASH Prevention
  • Bystander Intervention
  • Reporting Procedures
  • Response Procedures 

  1. Periodically

Incorporate SASH discussions in periodic Vessel Safety Meetings using materials similar to those in the Facilitator’s Guide and Student Workbook in the SOCP SASH Tool Kit.

SOCP Training Materials

MARAD has engaged in a cooperative agreement with SOCP, which provides free resources to mariners regarding sexual misconduct training and response.

Free Resources including the Best Practices Guide and accepted Quarterly Training Materials can be found here: SASH Prevention Materials | SOCP

SASH Contact Training Materials

SASH Contacts are the primary contact ashore for all SASH issues. SASH Contacts must complete the free 40-hour Victim Assistance Training Online provided by the Office for Victims of Crime Training & Technical Assistance Center, or have completed an equivalent training program.

Reporting

Every Mariner Builds A Respectful Culture (EMBARC) Reporting

The EMBARC Standards aim to eliminate barriers to reporting for SASH incidents and promptly address any report of such prohibited behavior.

Required Reporting

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Reporting

When cadets are embarked, Vessel Operators shall immediately (within 24 hours after learning of an allegation) notify USMMA of an allegation of a SASH involved behavior regardless of whether the behavior involves a cadet.

If the incident involves a cadet, operators shall provide a complete report to USMMA when the investigation is complete.

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Reporting

Recent changes to the law now require the responsible entity of a vessel, defined as the owner, master, or managing operator, to report any complaint or incident of harassment, sexual harassment, or sexual assault to the Coast Guard that violates company policy, pursuant to 46 U.S. Code § 10104. Reporting options include a Coast Guard Investigation Service (CGIS) Tips App, and/or the email address: CGISTIPS@uscg.mil which can be used by all reporting sources, including bystanders and survivors, who have access to a smart phone or the internet.

USCG National Command Center: (202)-372-2100

CGIS: CGISTIPS@uscg.mil

CGIS TIPS: Tip Form (p3tips.com)

If the responsible entity in charge of a U.S. flagged vessel makes a report, including providing detailed contact information for further follow-up, of a sexual misconduct incident through CGIS Tips, via the CGIS email at CGISTIPS@uscg.mil, or the NCC’s phone line the report will satisfy the reporting requirements of 46 U.S. Code § 10104(a).

The USCG investigates and prosecutes all cases of Sexual Misconduct that are criminal in nature. The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) will leverage all available resources to immediately initiate a criminal investigation for a sexual crime occurring on a U.S. flagged vessel anywhere in the world.

To learn more about USCG Reporting please visit the USCG Website: Coast Guard Investigative Service (uscg.mil). Additionally further guidance is provided in the USCG MSIB 1-23: Reporting Sexual Assaults on US Vessels.

Job Aid - Reporting Prohibited Behavior Aboard U.S. Registered Vessel Carrying Cadets

A two-part reporting job aid is provided in the link below to assist with reporting.

EMBARC Standards Reporting Job Aid – Includes Step 1 of 2: Immediate Report & Step 2 of 2: Final Report

These reporting job aids may be used to assist in meeting the reporting requirements of MARAD’s EMBARC Standards, the United States Coast Guard, and the Maritime Academies reporting requirements for the cadets which are hosted onboard. Applicable requirements should be verified.

Submitting the job aids does not alleviate the responsible entity of reporting to the United States Coast Guard in accordance with 46 U.S. Code § 10104. The use of the job aid is not required and should not delay the action of making a required immediate report.

Reporting Options

Deciding whether to report an incident of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other prohibited behavior is a deeply personal decision. However, reporting can serve as a gateway to recovery.

Sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other forms of prohibited behavior have no place within the maritime industry, and all victims/survivors deserve victim-centered, trauma-informed support following their experience.

It is normal to feel overwhelmed, scared, or feel isolated after you have experienced an incident of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms prohibited behavior. The key is remembering you are not alone.

You are encouraged to reach out to any of the resources identified below, or seek out additional reporting resources at SOCP’s resources webpage at www.socp.us/sash-resources.

  • Cadets can report an incident of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other prohibited behavior to their company’s SASH Contact.

  • All officers, crew and cadets can additionally report an incident directly to CGIS at email: CGISTIPS@uscg.mil or through their secure online reporting platform CGIS TIPS: Tip Form (p3tips.com). This includes an anonymous reporting option.

  • USMMA Cadets have the option of making a restricted or unrestricted report to USMMA Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO).

  • SMA cadets have the option of reporting to their Title IX office, or other designated employees at their academy.

For specific information on reporting options and contact numbers, please refer to company policies and procedures / academy policies and procedures.

Every Mariner Builds A Respectful Culture (EMBARC) Investigations

Investigation Requirements

The EMBARC Standards outline policies and procedures that seek to prevent, respond to, and redress incidents of SASH and foster a safe and supportive environment.

Vessel Operator policies shall require that:

  1. Thorough investigations of alleged violations of the SASH policy meet best practices for investigations of sexual assaults and sexual harassment (see SOCP resources identified below).

  1. Interviews be conducted using trauma-informed interview methods, which includes asking questions of an individual who has survived sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence, or stalking in a manner that is focused on the experience of the victim-survivor, does not judge, or blame the victim-survivor, and is informed by evidence-based research on the neurobiology of trauma.

  1. SASH Contacts maintain records of any possible violations, including:

    1. Investigative findings
    2. Corrective actions (where appropriate)
    3. Referral to proper authorities

Note: The Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has developed materials for the prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment affecting the shipboard climate in the U.S. maritime industry.These SASH Prevention Materials | SOCP include, but are not limited to, a Best Practice Guide (BPG), containing recommendations in the following areas:

  • Company Investigation Process
  • Response to Sexual Assault and Harassment
  • Complaint and Investigation Procedures (Example)
  • Investigation Outline (Example)

TS-EMBARC SMA Checklist

Training Ship – Special Considerations for incorporating EMBARC Standards (TS-EMBARC) for Cadet Embarkation Eligibility on a MARAD-owned Training Ship (TS)